Greenways as an alternative to traditional infrastructure Green Infrastructure
What is a Greenway? Little (1990) - A linear open space along a natural or human made corridor. Fabos - linked corridors nature s superstructure NRPA - tie parks together offering some nature based recreation. Key Characteristics : Linear and Connective
The Evolution of Greenways Generation 1 pre 1700 s - circa 1960: axes, boulevards, parkways Generation 2 circa 1960 1985: trail oriented recreational greenway Generation 3 circa 1985 present: multiple objective greenway
What is Infrastructure? in frastruc ture n. basic installations and facilities such as roads, power plants, sewerage, transportation and communications systems, etc.
Houston, TX
Green infrastructure interconnected network of: waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, greenways, parks, working farms, ranches and forests; and wilderness and other open spaces that support native species and natural ecological processes, sustain air and water resources and contribute to the health and quality of life for America s communities and people (The Conservation Fund, 2004).
Austin, TX
Proposed Infrastructure in New England Much like a system of freeways, greenways can link people and places.
Greenway Infrastructure in New York City
Green infrastructure in College Station is largely floodplains as represented in dark green
TAMU West Campus White Creek is a greenway with potential to connect the Bush School and Library to AGLS, Mays, Horticulture and others.
Greenway Infrastructure Maintained During Development: Ecological Benefit
Multiple Objectives of a Modern Greenway Infrastructure Help manage stormwater & water quality Enhance recreation, health & fitness Provide transportation choices Maintain an ecological balance Provide better visual quality Enhance the economy
Green Infrastructure for Stormwater More land inundated for longer time Controlling a creek is hard over time.
Buffers between waterways and development are essential and should be at least the width of the floodplain
Floodplain Benefit of Green Infrastructure Average cost of constructing floodwater storage is $13,000 per acre foot. (one acre of land with where water can sit at 1 foot deep) Acre of undeveloped floodplain gives 4 acre feet of storage (assumes area allows 4 feet of water depth in a flood). Estimated value of floodplain storage in an urban setting is about $52,000 per acre. (4x $13,000 = $52,000) Source: Sheaffer et al. 2002
Water quality Increase in paved surface increases runoff and non-point source pollution Infiltration is 50% on natural surface and 15% on 75-100% paved surface Surface vegetation filters trash and large material Aquifer and surface water recharge affected http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/vid_ Watermanagement.html (link to ASLA animation)
Green Infrastructure for Recreational Use
Recreation Participation: 2005 Data on Texans 78% of Texans walked for pleasure (#1) 54% viewed or photographed natural scenery 35% bicycled for recreation 29% viewed or photographed birds 27% went fresh water fishing 23% engaged in outdoor team sports (#25) 12% went horseback riding Source: National Survey on Rec. and Environment
Green Infrastructure for Health and Fitness CDC recognizes inactivity as key contributor to health problems, especially in children. Access to safe walking and riding has diminished. Urban trail users in Texas have rated the fitness benefits of trails 1 st among Quality of Life items. Urban forests help to cool and cleanse the air. http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/vid_urba nforests.html
Infrastructure for Alternative Transportation ISTEA,TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancements have driven greenway trail development. 25% of an urban trail user sample in two Texas cities commuted by greenway trails at least occasionally. Hudson River Greenway New York City 16 miles of trail along western edge of Manhattan
Infrastructure that Enhances Ecology 1) Habitat for wildlife 2) Filters pollutants (trash in plants and toxins in soils and plants) 3) Help control invasives (e.g., kudzu) 4) Source of biodiversity (larger areas provide habitat for native plants and animals) 5) Corridor for travel (animal hallways) 6) Restore brownfields http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/vid_br ownfields.html (link to ASLA animation)
Greenway infrastructure can add visual quality to the urban environment Before After
Visitors Pay for Visual Quality Town Lake Pay for view from a window, restorative value! Riverwalk
Hotels on a Greenway Lady Bird Lake Greenway, Austin Four Seasons $35 a night more for view of greenway (13% increase) Hyatt $25 a night more for view of greenway (11% increase)
Residents Pay for Visual Quality and Access Property values are higher when close to natural areas associated with green infrastructure
Infrastructure to help attract and diversify economic development Renting bicycles in Chicago s Millennium Park
Park Greenway Green Infrastructure Relationship Greenways are linear Parks are patches Greenways connect Parks stand alone Green infrastructure is the combination of both types of land use. Greenways connect parks, other open spaces, green roofs and green streetscapes with ecological, recreational and economic values to create green infrastructure.
Summary: green infrastructure in urban areas Softens the otherwise hard landscape and adds to a sense of place. Connections for people recreation & fitness supported transportation choices offered Ecological balance wildlife habitat and travel corridor flooding and water quality helps climate: temperature and CO2 Enhance/diversify the economy visual quality increases value, diversifies business
Approach: a spectrum of greenways Classified greenways according to: A. Functions greenway would serve B. Developed character Lowest Middle Highest
Key characteristics connectivity width access trail type level of development What was being connected? people, wildlife, water floodway, floodplain, other riparian areas (tributaries etc.) For whom and how much? recreation, transportation, wildlife protection Wide and hard, narrow and soft? Appropriate to surroundings and land use plan
Greenway classification Type Functions Characteristics primary secondary connect corr. width trail type level of dev. Urban A,B,C,D,E F,G many floodway wide/hard commercial Suburban A,B,C,E D,F,G homes floodplain softer residence schools surface to commercial Rural A,B,E,G C,D,F limited floodplain narrow little to no & other and soft development sig. areas Functions: A-flood control; B-recreation; C-transportation; D-economics; E-Aesthetic F-utility corridor; G-ecological/wildlife
Planned Green Infrastructure Urban Greenway - economic development, flood control, aesthetics, transportation and recreation. Suburban Greenway - neighborhood development, recreation, transportation, flood control, aesthetics. Rural Greenway - wildlife habitat, recreation, flood control, aesthetics.
Greenway Resources Classified